Method of making athletic game balls



July "27, 1943. REACH 2,325,073

METHOD OF MAKING ATHLETIC GAME BALLS Original Filed March 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet l TUBULAR lflv/r FABRIC 12 J Tp'li'on B Reach,

@m4 MWM/c 7 $01K.

July 27, 1943.

M. B. REACH 2,325,073.-

METHOD OF MAKING ATHLETIC GAME BALLS Original Filed March 2, 1937 2 Sheets-Sheet? a e: 'e/

Milieu l9. Re ach Patented July 27, 1943 Milton B. Beach, Springfield, Mass.

Original application March 2, 1937, Serial No.

128,672, now Patent No. 2,175,128, dated Octoher 3, 1939. Divided and this applicationMarch -1, 1939, Serial No. 259,243

32 Claims.

The invention concerns the method of making an athletic game ball, this specification .being a division of that filed by me March 2, 1937, Serial No. 128,672, for Letters Patent of the United States No. 2,175,128 of October 3, 1939.

Various main and subsidiary features of the in-.

vention will be described hereinafter and particularly pointed out in the appended claims, In the accompanying drawings: Figure 1 is a reduced side view of a wax or other form upon which the ball structure is built up. Y Fig. 2 is a larger side view of the form than that shown in Fig. 1 covered with the first layer of stockinette or tubular knitted fabric, this view being in the nature of adiagram and showing the knitted fabric, for convenience in part only, sufiicient being shown, however, to illustrate that the fabric isstretched in the direction of its wales at the end portions of the tube, and mainlycircumferentially at zones intermediate these end portions.

' Fig. 3 is an enlarged side elevation of only the end portion of Fig. 2 with a cord winding applied over the stockinette.

Fig. 4 is a fragmental sectional view showing the first layer of stockinette with the cord winding applied, the section being taken longitudinally:of the ball. 1

Fig; 5 is a fragmental sectionalview similar to Fig. 4 showing a second layer of stockinette' over the cord winding.

Fig 6 is an exaggerated fragmental sectional view showing the'end of the stockinette' tubular members out off, the wax or other form having been broken up and removed from the hollow portion of the textile carcass is cemented down' thereon.

Fig. 9 is a View similar to Fig.8 with the end portion of the textile carcass cemented down onto the rubber ring Fig. 10 is a perspective view of an outside rub.- ber end piece to be applied over the open end of the textile carcass to form a closure at this point,

this closure member beingof substantially frustoa conical form.

' Fig. 11 is an elevation of the end portion of the carcass with the outside rubber end piece cemented in place, thebladder and the layers of the textile carcass being shown in'dotted line, the bladder having been inflated'to its maximum ex tent and the cure having been effected.

Fig. 12 is a sectional view of Fig. 11 through the longitudinal axis of the ball.

Fig. 13 is a side view of'a part of the end portion of the ball with. leather cover members .ce-

mented thereon. 1

Fig. 14 is an exaggerated sectional view of the layers of stockinette with cord windingbetween them showing a portion of the bladder and a portion of the leather cover.

Fig. 15 shows. a ball using non-stretchable fabric. a

Fig. '16 is aview' of one of the panels used in making the ball of Fig. 15. I

The drawings are more or less diagrammatic,

and exaggerated more or less for convenience of illustration.

i the textile material comprised in the wallof-the ball is applied. This form may be-of Wax, or low fusible metal, adaptedto bermelted out of the partly made ball, or saidform in respect to someaspects of the invention, may be of; a collapsible} structure of aluminum or othermaterial in sections, which-may be removed section by section,

from the partly completed ball during its manufacture. 1

:The wax is friable and therefore'may be reduced to small particles for discharge from with in the carcass through an opening therein at a certain period of building up the. ball.

This wax or other form may be of different shapes, but in the particular form disclosed herein, it is of the general shape of a football, except that it has flat circular areas I l .at its ends lying in planes perpendicular to the longitudinal axis of the form. 1 I

The textile fabric employed in providing the fabricated layer; or layers, is preferably stockinette or knitted fabric. This is in theforin of a tube or sleeve. One of these sleeves I2 is drawn over the wax or other form to make the foundation layer, said sleeve being sufficiently long to provide surplus extensions lf-ia beyond the ends of the form. This sleeve is stretched in the direction of the wales of the knitting. i..-e.,

in a direction lengthwise of theaxis of the sleeve and of the form, and fordoing this the extensions may be held firmly while the form is turned about its axis.

In this action the extensions are twisted and a pull is thereby exerted on the fabric lengthwise thereof. This stretched condition of the fabric is illustrated in Fig. 2.

The turning of the fabric covered form about its longitudinal axis while the extensions are firmly held may be performed by and suitable means, for instance, by holding the extensions with the fingers at a point close to the ends of the form while the form is rolled on a table, or the extensions may be held by any suitable clamping means while the form is rotated by hand until the desired stretched condition of the fabric is attained. After the fabric has been drawn taut to the desired degree of tension, and thereby closely fits the form, it is tied with a string I2b at each end of the form close to the flat end faces ll thereof, the string encircling the fabric extensions at this point.

Instead of a string, a suitable clamp may be used. The ball at this stage then has a cord 14 wound tightly and spirally thereon, so that each turn of the cord will lie alongside of the preceding turn. Tubular knitted fabric is inherently stretchable and elastic. The tightly wound cord will restrain the stretched knitted fabric against changing its condition or form after being stretched to size and shape on the rigid form. This winding of the cord will form a layer of reinforcing material extending along the body thereof and terminating at the points 15 a little short of the ends of the form, leaving, however,

a portion of the stockinette exposed at each end of the form, as indicated in Figs. 3 and 4. After the cord winding is applied, for which any suitable means, like a lathe, may be employed, rubber or other suitable cement is applied to the article, as thus far formed, by clipping or otherwise. Next, a second layer of stockinette in the form of a sleeve, indicated at I20, is applied to the ball, stretched, and tied like the first layer to provide additionallengthwise reinforcement and to compensate for-any irregularities and make a smooth surface." After thoroughly dried, the surplus stockinette is cut oil at both ends of the form close to the said ends,

which leaves an opening I! at each end of the textile carcass, see Figs. 6, 8, and 9.

Then the wax form is broken up by hitting the ball with a suitable implement, and the pieces are shaken out through one of said openings at the end of the carcass. v

If a bladder of rubber or the like is to be used, this, as shown at 16, is now inserted in the ball through one of the end openings, and'the ball is blown up to its approximate size by inflating the bladder. Next, a rubber ring I! of frusto-conical shape to fit the substantially conical end formation of the ball, and which may be termed the inside rubber closure or reinforcement, is cemerited to the end of the bladder with the axis of said ring coinciding with the longitudinal axis of the ball. This rubber ring tapers in thickness from its center portion to its edge. The next step is to cement the end portions of the stock inette down on the rubber ring H, see Figs. 8 and 9 in this connection, and thereafter an outside rubber end piece or cap ll, Fig. 10, of substantially frusto-conical form with a rounded apex portion 2|! ls cemented to the stockinette layer on the outer side thereof.

This cap encloses the end of the ball, and as it is comparatively thick at its center portion or these cemented parts have wall of the mold under pressure.

therein is removed from the mold.

apex, and tapers in thickness to its edge, it will fill out the end of the ball so that no vacant space will be left at this point which otherwise might exist by reason of the central opening in the rubber ring ii. The assembled carcass is now placed in a mold, the mold is closed, the bladder is inflated to a point where the side. or outer face of the carcass is brought into contact with the Heat is then applied, and the desired cure is effected, the ball then being in the condition represented by Fig. 11.

After the cure, the carcass with the bladder It is then covered with self-curing cement, and the leather panels i9 or pieces to form the cover are likewise coated with the same cement and are fitted edge to edge to form the cover, the joints Where the edges of the cover pieces contact each other heingflush. This pieced together cover is then molded to the ball under light heat and with just enough pressure to thoroughly iron the cover in place.

' The invention is not limited to the use of a bladder, but, on the contrary, features thereof may be embodied in a ball in which at the end of the carcass opposite to the end where the valve is located a hole will be left 'of about one-fourth A) of an inch in diameter, and just before the ball is put through its first heating operation, there will be poured into the carcass-through this hole a mixture of glue, water and glyceiine, or some other suitable material, which will provide an effective air-tight lining. The glycerine is a piasticizing material. The hole will now be closed by cork. During the heat of the first curing period, this lining material will remain liquid. After removing the ball from the first cure, it is sub mitted to a universal tumbling movement that will distribute the liquid lining material evenly on the inside wall of the carcass'as it cools. In this method, in which the bladder is omitted, the carcass will be blown up to prescribed size at the proper period, i. 'e., after the end closures have been applied, and the carcass is in the mold.

One of the above'methods may be employed for; one grade of ball, and the other method for a ball of another grade.

It will be observed that the invention provides a ball properly balanced of practically uniform manufacture. Thatthe carcass of textile ing form, the filling stem of which is accessible at or through an opening 20 in the end of cap i8, which closes the end of the ball.

In the case of a footbalL'a valve for inflation would be placed in the end of the ball and would the - be inflated through a needle in ordinary"prac' tice. A valve would be used, preferably, at each pole or end of the ball. The prevailing valvein use today is made without metal parts, and depends upon the constricting qualities of its rubber 1' wall to seal the opening. Occasionally valves of this character indicate a slight leak. In the case of an ordinary sewn type of ball the bladder may be withdrawn and replaced. In the present invention, the bladder becomes united with the fabric wall of the ball and cannot be withdrawn. If one of the valves leaks, the ball still may be used by simply sealing up this valve with rubber cement and then utilizing the res serve valve for inflation.

The invention is not limited to the number of layers of tubular textile fabric nor of cord winding employed in the carcass.

The use of tubular knitted fabric applied unple device of twisting the surplus extensions of the tubular fabric, as above described, at the opposite sides or ends of the ball. This uniformity will take place in respect to the loops in any particular zone or course despite the fact thatthe loops in other zones or circular courses of knitting may be stretched more or less. Tubular knitted fabric is made in courses running spirally around the tube at a low angle, with the loops, a the fabric comes from the knitting needles, under substantially the same degree of tension, and therefore when drawn over a form (such as shown herein) and its ends twisted, the effect on the tubular fabric is to place each wale orlongitudinal row of stitches under the same condition and tension as in every otherwale or longitudinal row of stitches, and the general result will be that the carcass, made up of the stretched layers of tubular knitted fabric, the cord and the material with which these layers are impregnated and cemented together, will be balanced.

Features of the invention may be embodied in aball employing textile carcass; material which is relatively non-stretchable initially; 'This material may consist of woven linen or cotton. Fg.

15. shows panels 2| of this material tapering towards their ends laid on thewax or other removable form of spheroidal shape.- The edges spheroidal form of wax.

When cemented into place on said removable form, cord winding 22. is applied as in the form first described. with the spiral turns of the cord lying adjacent and'preferably in contact with each other, the winding of the cord taking place about the major axis of the form. In carrying out the method with this non-stretchable material, the ends of the textile carcass would be opened or be left open, the wax is removed through the open end, or ends, and the rubber closure pieces or patches and the valves are applied in the same way as before described in connection with the use of knitted tubularfabric. So too, the same impregnation of the fabric with cement or like material may be used as before described.

Reverting. to the provisions for obtaining the opening, or openings, at the end, or ends, of the spheroidal body for removal of the wax or other form, or the insertion of the bladder, it will be seen that the cord winding ends short of the length of the ball, so that the ends of the panels exposed beyond the terminals of the cord wind ing may be turned back from the surface of theof sa d panels abut and the tapered ends are adapted to come to a point at the poles of the end portions of the wax form, so that after the wax form is removed, the bladder may be inserted through the opening left by the turned back ends of the panels. The rubber reinforcement ring may then be applied to lie between the bladder and the ends of the panels when these are folded down, and then the rubber cap like l8 may be applied over the ends of the panels of textile fabric, and finally the cover sections of leather or othersuitable materal may be ccmented in place over the carcass made up of the textile panels and cord winding, all substantially as described in connection with the form of the invention first described;

One object of the invention is to produce an inflated ball of the valve type having its wall reinforced by cord winding applied thereto. The method involves the use of a rigid form upon which the carcass is built up, one portion ofthis carcass being the cord winding. This is applied while the carcass is still on the rigid form and as a result the winding is performed uniformly and at a uniform tension. Variables enter into a process where the winding is done upon a carcass or as a part of a. carcass mounted on or held by a fluid form such as would be furnished by a bladder, yieldable variably, and thus giving rise to variations in the tension of the winding in the completed ball.

By using wax, which is fusible, or frangible, the material of the rigid form can be reduced to a fineness suitable for its extraction through a comparatively small opening in the carcass, as distinguished from a form which must'be removed as one intact body, or which is made in sections which are irreducible. A small opening is desirable in order to reduce the size of the patch, and thus provideas large an extent of imperforate carcass wall as possible, thereby obtaining maximum'strength.

Tubular knitted fabric has certain desirable attributes that contribute to an'improved man ufacture, to wit: It supplies an inner member of extreme lightness and a non-skid surface. This inner member is merely a foundation for the strengthening element of cord. The total weight of the ball is fixed'by rule. as much of the strongest materialthat is, cord, as the prescribed weights allow. By starting with an excess of stockinette and stretching it out to its limit the operation of applying is facilitated and a minimum weight for coverage is assured. It may be pointed out that the use of a rigid form of fusible or friable'material is of importance. It enables the method to be carried out by making only a comparativelysmall size and readily r'eparable opening in the carcass for the removal of -'the material of which the form is composed, the closure of said small opening being effected in a manner to substantially preserve an equilibrium of weight, strength, and reaction throughout the wall of the carcass.

I claim:

1. Steps in a method of making an inflatable spheroidal game ball comprising applying an unsewn textile carcass material to a rigid spheroidal form of fusible or friable material, applying to said textile carcass material additional carcass material by winding cord spirally on said textile carcass material first mentioned throughouhthe major portion of the form, stopping the winding at a comparatively slight distance short of the end of the form to leave an opening in said cord winding, providing an opening in said textile carcass layer at the end of the spheroidal form,

It is desirable to use adjacent the opening in the cord winding, reducing and removing the material of said form through said end openings in the cord winding and in said textile carcass layer, cementing a closure member to the margin of said end open-' ing in the carcass layer, inflating the carcass and applying a cover thereto, substantially as described.

2. Steps in a method of forming an inflated game ball according to claim 1 including the additional steps of inserting inflating means into the carcass through said end opening, infiating the said carcass and thereafter performing said cementing of the closure in place and said applying of the cover.

3. A method according to claim 1 in which the cover is applied by cementing the same in pieces onto .the carcass and over said closure member.

4. A method according to claim 1 in which the spiral winding of cord extends continuously to a point near the small diameter end of the ball with the textile carcass material projecting at the small diameter end of the spheroid beyond said spheroid and beyond the cord winding'leaving an opening, reducing the form and removing the material of said form through said.

end opening, and inserting a bladder through said end opening, substantially as described.

5. Steps in a method of making an inflatable 1 game ball comprising applying carcass material upon a rigid fusible or friable form, of substantially spheroidal shape, winding cord tight- 1y about said carcass material while on said rigid form, stopping the winding at a point ad jacent but spaced apart a comparatively short distance from the small diameter end of the spheroidal form to thereby leave an opening in said cord winding, providing an opening through said carcass material registering axially with the opening left in the cord winding, reducing the fusible or friable material of the rigid form to a condition to pass readily through the registering openings in the cord winding and carcass material, removing said reduced material through said registering openings, and then closing said registering openings in the carcass and cord windings, substantially as described.

6. Steps in a. method of building an inflatable athletic game ball comprising stretching knitted fabric upon a rigid form to the shape of the ball, winding cord under tension upon.

the stretched knitted fabric while on said rigid form to provide a. carcass, cementing the knitted fabric and cord together, removing the form from the carcass, inserting lining material into the carcass to render it air-tight, inflating the ball, and curing the same in a mold by heat and pressure, cementing cover material in pieces to the carcass, and molding said cover material onto the carcass by low heat and. pressure.

'7. Steps in a method of making an inflatable athletic game ball consisting in forming a flexible carcass of textile material, providing material in liquid form within said carcass capableof sealing said carcass air tight, and flexing with said carcass, subjecting the carcass to a first curing heat while the said material remains liquid, tumbling the ball to distribute said liquid.

material over the inner surface of the carcass and then completing the curing of the ball, substantially as described.

8. Steps in a method of making a hollow gameform of fusible or friable material to provide a carcass, impregnating said carcass with cement, reducing and removing the form through one of the open ends of the carcass, cementing closure means to the margins of the openings in the ends of the tubular textile carcass and thereafter cementing a cover in pieces over the carcass and its closure means, substantially as described.

9. A method of making a game ball according to claim 8 in which the quantity of tubular knitted textile fabric member is in excess lengthwise of that necessary to cover the form, and severing the excess from the body portion of the tubular member.

10. A method of making a game ball according to claim 8 in which the tubular knitted fabric while on the form is impregnated with rubber or a flexible plastic material.

11. A method according to claim 8 in which means rendering the ball inflatable is inserted through'the end opening of the tubular knitted fabric after the removal of the form.

'12. A method according to claim 8 in which the stretching of the tubular knitted fabric is carried on to produce excess textile material beyond the form, and removing said excess tubular knit fabric.

13. Steps in a method of making an inflatable athletic game ball comprising stretching tubular knitted fabric over a rigid form of fusible or friable material to provide a carcass having an opening at its end, reducing and removing the material of the form, inserting means rendering the ball inflatable into the carcass, reinforcing the end opening through which the form was removed by pre-shaped supporting members, one of which members closes the opening.

14. Steps in a method of making an inflatable athletic game ball comprising stretching tubular knitted fabric over a form of fusible or friable material and thereby placing said fabric under tension, and producing surplus tubular knit fabric beyond the surface of the form securin the end portions of the tubular fabric to retain the fabric under said tension, winding a cord spirally on the fabric, applying cement to the cord and fabric and allowing it to dry, removing the surplus textile fabric to leave an opening, or open ings, in the fabric, reducing and removing the material of the form through one of said openings, applying closure means to the opening, or openings, and cementing a cover in pieces over the ball and over said closure means.

15. A method according to claim 14 comprising inserting means rendering the ball inflatable into the partly formed ball after the form has been removed, then inflating the ball to approximately its prescribed size, substantially as described.

16. The hereindescribed steps in a method of making an inflatable ball comprising stretching a tubular knitted fabric over aform with surplus portions of said tubular fabric at each end, securing said surplus end portions to prevent said tubular fabric from relaxing, applying cement to said knitted fabric, then applying another section of tubular knitted fabric in stretched condition over the first layer and holding it under tension, allowing the cemented parts to dry, then cutting off the surplus ends of the tubular fabric, to leave openings at the ends of the fabric carcass, thus formed, removing the form. through one of the openings in the carcass, then inflating the carcass to its prescribed size. then applying 2,325,073 a I "15 j closing means to the carcass at said: openings, then curing the ball, and :cementing: a-cover to the carcass, substantially. as described.

17. The hereindescribed process according to claim 16 including winding cord about the first tubular knitted fabric member and supplying .ce- 'ment to said cord winding as well as to said tubular knitted fabric.

ends todraw upon the fabric andistretchthe same .over said: form, then-applying cement to the knitted fabric, cutting off- ,the,surplus ends thereby leaving openings, then removing the form through one of the said openings and then applying closure'members to the fabric at said openings. 7

19. Steps in a method of making an inflatable a athletic game ball .in which a ;tubular knitted fabricisdrawn onto a form with surplu ends .of said tubular fabric extending from 'OPF'QSite points of the ball, applying force tosaid surplus ends to draw upon the fabric and stretch-the same over said form, then applying cement to the knitted fabric, cutting off the surplus ends leaving openings at the points where the fabric was out, then removing the form through one of i the said openings, and then applying closure members to the fabric over said openings, and then inflating the carcass and curing the same.

20. Steps in a method of making an inflated athletic game ball in which a tubular knitted fabric is drawn onto a form with surplus ends of said tubular fabric extending from opposite points of the ball, applying force to said surplus ends to draw upon the fabric and stretch the same over said form, then applying cement to the knitted fabric and drying the same, cutting off the surplus ends thereby leaving openings at the points where the fabric was out, then removing the form through one of the said openings and then inserting means rendering the ball inflatable, inflating the same, then applying closure members to the openings in the fabric carcass, then placing the carcass in a mold and inflating the ball to make the outer side of the carcass contact the mold under pressure, and then curing the carcass by heat, substantially as described.

21. Steps in a process of making an inflatable athletic game ball consisting in drawing a tubuing a rubber reinforcingimember at the opening and cementing the inner knitted fabric portion "of-the carcass. on said' reinforcing member,v cementing an outer rubber cover member to'the exterior of the carcass ateach opening to close the same, curing the balland cementing panels Ithereon .to'form a cover; substantiallyas described, 1

22.;Steps in a method of-ma'kingan inflatable athletic game ball comprising stretching tubular knit fabric to the approximate shapeand sizeof theballby drawing said fabric onto arigid'form, winding cord upon said-tubular knit fabric layer while in its stretched-condition on said rigid form,

and cementingjsaid knit fabric and ,cord layer toeet n 23. Steps iniaimeth od of makingan inflatable athletic. game ball comprising stretching tubular ,knit fabric overa hollow form of reducible material,.impregnatingsaid fabric with cement, and setting said tubular knit fabric in stretched condition, reducing the material of the form and re- 7 moving said material from the tubular fabric lar knit fabric over a form, said tubular fabric being sufficiently long to provide a definite length of excess fabric at its ends, stressing said fabric by drawing upon its end portions in opposite directions, so as tostretch said fabric and make it'v substantially fit the form, under tension, retaining the end portions of the tubular fabric to member and applying a cover in pieces cemented rics and cord winding, cutting off the surplus knitted tubular fabric at the'opposite sides of the form, in a plane substantially at a right angle to the axis of the form thereby providing openings,

removing the material constituting the formv through one of the openings, inserting inflating means through one of said openings into the carcass formed by the layers of fabric and cord, inflating said carcass to itsapproximatesize, placthroughan opening therein; and closing said opening with a patch located therein I 4, Steps in a method of making a hollow athletic game ball consisting in stretching tubular knitted fabric upon a rigid form, of fusible or friable material maintaining the stretched condition of said fabric on said rigid form, then applying a layer of cord'by winding it on said stretched fabric, and cementing said cord winding and stretched fabric together, and providing an opening for the removal of the form, substantially as 7 described.

25. Steps in a method of making a hollow athletic game ball according to claim 24 including the steps of applying a layer of textile material over the cord winding, and cementing it thereto.

26. Steps'in a method ofmaking an inflatable athletic game ball comprising stretching a tubular knit fabric to the approximate shape and size ofthe ball by drawing said fabric onto a rigid form of reducible material, winding cord upon said tubular knit fabric layer in its stretched condition while on said form, applying another layer, or layers, of textile material to build up a carcass of the desired wall thickness, reducing the material of the rigid form and removing said reduced material through an opening in the carcass, closing the opening by a patchsubstantially flush with the exterior surface of the carcass, and cementing a cover in pieces overthe carcass and its patch, substantially as described.

27. Steps in a method of making an inflatable game ball comprising stretching a tubular knitted fabric upon a rigid form leaving surplus material at an end of said tube, setting the fabric in its'stretched condition, cutting away said surplus,

thereby leaving an opening at the end of said tube, removing the form through the said opening, closing the opening, inflating the fabric in place, substantially as described.

28. Steps in'a method of making an inflatable game ball comprising stretching tubular knit fabric upon a rigid form of fusible or friable material to give it shape and size, and winding cord tightly about said stretched carcass fabric while supported by the rigid form, terminating the winding so as to leave an opening at a pole of the ball, reducing the form and removing the material thereof from the carcass and applying a closure to said opening, substantially as described. ,29. Steps in amethod of making an inflatable rial in liquid form'within said carcass capable of sealing said carcass air tight when set, and of flexing with said carcass, subjecting the carcass toacuring heat in a mold or form while the said material remains liquid, tumbling the ball to distribute said liquid material over the inner surface of the carcass as the said liquid 89. Steps in-a method of makingan inflatable athletic game'ball comprising building a flexible inert carcass of substantially non-stretchable textile material and a suitable bonding material upon a rigid form of reducible material, reducing the rigid' ferm and removing the reduced material through an opening in the carcass; placing the inert flexible carcass in a mold, introducing a substantially air tight lining mixture Within the carcass in the mold, and holding the carcass in its preformed shape against the walk of the mold, applying heat at a temperature suitable for performing a first vulcanization of the walls of the carcass, during which the said lining material will remain liquid, thereafter tumbling the ball to distribute the lining material evenly over the inside wall surface of the carcass until the lining has solidified and set, cementing cover material in pieces to the carcass, and molding said cover material onto the carcass by low heat and pressure, substantiallyas described.

31. Steps in a method 0! making an inflatable athletic game ball comprislngbuilding a flexible inert carcass of substantially non-stretchable textile or fibrous material and bonding material upon a rigid form of reducible material, reducing the form and removing the reduced material thereo! from the carcass, placing the carcass within a mold, introducing into the carcass in the mold a liquid lining material adapted to effect complete sealing of the carcass against air leakage therethrough, holding the carcass distended in substantially its-preformedshape against the walls of the-mold, subjecting the carcass with its bonding material to vulcanization'while the lining material remains fluid, tumbling the ball to distribute the lining fluid and thereafter set the lining material in a thin solidified layer against the interior wall of the carcass, substantially as described. v

32; Steps in a method oi making an inflatable athletic game ball according to claim 30 in which the lining material is a mixture of glue, plasticising material and water, substantially as described.

MILTON B. REACH. 

